161-038 Morality, Mortality

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Two Second/Third Year single-semester Philosophy subjects or equivalent for Third Year. Admission to Honours for Fourth Year.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject provides a general introduction to the major theories of distributive justice, including utilitarian, Rawlsian, and libertarian approaches, taking a detailed look at issues connected with the allocation of scarce lifesaving resources. Theoretical issues include: the significance of equality, measures of equality and inequality, giving priority to the worse off, and the average or total level of well-being; different ways of measuring well-being, such as happiness, preference-satisfaction, and objective goods; the use of veils of ignorance and other lotteries to allocate scarce resources; and the relationship between responsibility and allocation decisions. The subject will ask students to use the theoretical material to develop a detailed position on a practical issue, such as the allocation of organs for transplant, examining the significance or insignificance of urgency, need, outcome, age, and responsibility for health status. The course is relevant to those with an interest in any of philosophy, economics, medicine, law, and public policy.

Assessment

Written work totalling 4000 words for 3rd year, 5000 words for 4th year.